Submission of online survey first step in process for applicants
Sarasota County homeowners affected by Hurricanes Ian, Helene and/or Milton are being invited to apply for assistance through the county’s Resilient SRQ Housing Recovery Program, county staff has announced.
This program, which offers help with repairing or rebuilding homes, can reimburse homeowners for out-of-pocket expenses if they are determined to be eligible for that assistance, a news release explains.
The funding for the initiative will come out of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants issued to the county through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program, the release points out
Sarasota County was awarded two separate allocations, which total $411.6 million, the release notes.
Resilient SRQ initially launched the Housing Recovery Program in June 2024, with $55 million allocated to rehabilitate and reconstruct homes and reimburse eligible homeowners affected by Hurricane Ian, the release continues. “An additional $33.3 million is proposed for homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton,” with the draft Action Plan for the 2024 storms having been submitted to HUD on April 25, the release adds.
The program is open to homeowners who were affected by any of the above storms, the release says; it aims to address the community’s ongoing recovery needs.
Homeowners can begin the application process by completing an online survey through ResilientSRQ.net, the release explains. The survey is required to determine conditional eligibility, the release notes; a homeowner deemed conditionally eligible for the program will receive an invitation to complete the full application. “Full applications will be sent to eligible homeowners on a rolling basis as Resilient SRQ staff reviews surveys and prepare for next steps,” the release adds.
To qualify for the program, Sarasota County residents must meet the following criteria at the time of application submission:
- Provide proof of ownership of the damaged home (both currently and at the time of the qualifying disaster).
- Demonstrate that they experienced damage to the home from the qualifying disaster.
- Provide documentation showing that the damaged home is their primary residence (both currently and at the time of the qualifying disaster).
- Show that they maintain a mortgage in good standing or that they are on a payment plan in good standing.
- Have a household income at or below 120 percent of Sarasota County’s area median income (AMI), which is set annually by HUD.
Application process
The following are the steps that will lead to assistance:
- 1. Submit the homeowner interest survey online.
- 2. Conditionally eligible applicants will be invited to complete a full application.
- 3. Applicants will be assigned an eligibility specialist to assist them with questions, as well as with finalizing the application and completing required documents.
- 4. Program staff will conduct a home inspection to verify the home’s condition.
- 5. If found to be eligible for assistance, applicants will receive an award determination in accord with the following:for reimbursements, homeowners will receive funds for repairs that were completed prior to their submitting applications; for rehabilitation or reconstruction, a Sarasota County contractor will be assigned to begin the process.
“Applications will be accepted as long as funding is available,” the release points out.
“For assistance completing the survey,” the release says, “call 941-861-5309 or email info@ResilientSRQ.net. Translation services are available,” the release notes.
To stay informed about program developments and upcoming events, sign up at ResilientSRQ.net.